Toothbrush



Feb. 20, 1934. s v LAUB 1,947,722

TOOTHBRUSH Filed April 1l, 1932 Patented Feb. 20, 1934 TOTHBRUSH Stanley V. Laub, Detroit, Mich.

Application April 11, 1932. Serial No. 664,400

20 Claims.

The invention relates to brushes, and the principal objects thereof are to provide improved constructions wherein a handle may readily and releasably be equipped with a bristle head having toothpaste associated therewith; to provide a construction of this character in which manually operable loading means are provided for locating the bristle head in its proper position and at the same time causing an extrusion of the paste associated with the head, into the bristle area thereof; to provide a construction of this character in which the plate is extruded into the bristle area of the bristle head in a progressive and continued manner until the proper quantity of paste is extruded, even though the manual control means has ceased to function for this purpose; and in general to provide an inexpensive, sanitary, and efficient toothbrush in which bristle heads and tooth paste refills may readily be utilized with and released from a handle, to enable a person to employ a reiill for each teeth cleansing operation, and hence to avoid unsanitary conditions that ordinarily prevail with the use of the common brush.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawing, forming a 'part of the specification, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional View illustrating a tooth brush constructed according to one form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view on a larger scale taken substantially along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to that shown by Fig. 1, but illustrating another form of the invention;

Fig. 4 also is a cross-sectional view similar to that shown by Fig. 1, but illustrating another form of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a View similar to that shown by Fig. 4, but illustrating the bristle head in its position of initial insertion with respect to the handle of the brush, and prior to manually moving the bristle head into its operative position as shown by Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a brush constructed according to still another form of the invention; and

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional View on a larger scale, taken substantially along the line '7 7 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of still another form of the invention.

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a handle 10 of hollow character is illustrated, which may be composed of stilf material such as metal, rubber,

(Cl. S- 135) solidified plastics, compressed paper or the like. Moreover, it is preferred that the material employcd be attractive in appearance, and in this connection if metal is employed, it might be plated with chromium in order to give it a polished and lustrous surface. 1n general, the handle as shown, is oval in cross-section although it should be understood that various shapes and contours may be utilized. One wall of the handle has a longitudinally extending opening in its lower wall from the point 1l to substantially the point 12 and this opening from the latter point to an intermediate point indicated at 13 is slightly wider than the opening between the points 11 and 13, to provide, as shown best by Fig. 2, narrow ledges 1li and 15. The width of the opening between the points 12 and 13 is such as to allow a bristle head or plate 16 to be inserted into the handle, and the length of the head or plate is such that it may be inserted between the points l2 and 13 without engaging the ledges 14 and 15. The distance between vthe ledges 14 and 15, however, is less than the width of the bristle head and accordingly support the latter when it is moved longitudinally in the handle and over such ledges. Preferably the bristle head may be similar to or like bristle heads disclosed in my co-pending application for patent, Ser. No. 583,936, filed December 30, 1931, in which a flexible receptacle wall 18 covers the back face of the bristle head, and encloses or houses toothpaste 19 thereon. Such head may be composed of metal, solidified plastics, compressed paper or the like, `and the cover 18 may be composed of flexible, waterproof cellophane, metal foil, rubber, elastic plastics and the like. Moreover, it is preferred that the head have one or more openings 20 to allow the toothpaste 19 to be extruded into the area of the bristles indicated at 21 which are located on the face of the head opposite the cover 18. 'I'he openings 20 may be sealed by sealing material such as gelatine, which is soluble in Water, or they may be sealed by any material which may be forced out of the openings upon pressing the cover 18, or the head might instead of having openings, be puncturable so as to provide openings whenever necessary. Again it is entirely possible that the openings 20 be filled with paste 19 and the latter at the exposed ends of the openings, after solidifying as a result of exposure to the air, would serve sufliciently as a seal.

For moving the bristle head over the ledges 14 and 15 after it has been inserted into the larger part of the opening between points 12 and 13, a manually operable sleeve 22 is provided bil.

which is slidable longitudinally in the handle. This sleeve 22 has an opening in its lower wall dened by side edges 23 and 24 and end edges 25 and 25, and the opening is such as to permit the bristle head to be inserted the ebetween After the bristle head has been so inserted in the aperture in the lower wall of the sleeve, the latter may be moved longitudinally in the handle, thereby pushing the bristle head over the ledges 14 and l5 until the head is disposed in its proper position at the end of the handle. A knurled nut 28 may be swiveled on the other end of the sleeve 22 to limit its movement into the handle so as to properly position the bristle head, and to fasten the sleeve in the handle by engagement of threads on the nut with threads on the inner surface of such handle.

For extruding the toothpaste into the area of the bristles, the upper wall of the handle over the opening defined by the ledges 14 and 15, has a downwardly and elongated depressed portion 30 which is adapted to engage the covering 18 and force the toothpaste 19 through the openings 20 and into the bristlev area. In this connection it might be added that the covering 18 is composed of some flexible material such as cellophane or the like which is sufficiently strong to insure extrusion of the toothpaste in the proper manner without rupture. The upper wall of the sleeve 22 at the end thereof opposite the knurled nut 28, has an elongated slot 32, open at the free end of the sleeve, which is provided to received the projection or depressed portion 30 upon movement of the sleeve in the aforesaid manner.

When it is desired to use the brush, a bristle head equipped with the tooth paste as described, is inserted through the opening previously menl tioned in the handle and in the sleeve, with the sleeve in its outermost position as shown by broken lines and then by moving the sleeve to the left, the bristle head will be moved over the ledges 14 and 15 on the handle, and the cover 18 will be moved under the depressed portion 30 which will automatically deform it to cause the extrusion of paste into the bristle area. l'f the openings 20 in the bristle head are lled with material soluble in water, the head may be held une der a hydrant before inserting the head into the handle and if the head is to be punctured, the openings may be formed similarly before the head is inserted into the handle. However, if the openings are lled with material that may be forced out as a result of pressure, it is only necessary to insert the head and then move it into its operative position during which the paste will be extruded in the proper manner. After the tooth brushing operation, it is only necessary to pull the sleeve 22 into its outermost position and then remove the bristle head after which it may be discarded and the handle may be retained for use connection with a new bristle head.

The consruction shown by Fig. 3 is very similar to that shown by Fig. i with the exception that the upper wall of the handle is not provided with the depressed portion 30, but in place thereof, a spring 33 is provided which is riveted at one end as indicated at 34 to the wall of the handle. As the head ismoved into its operative position by moving the sleeve 22, it is apparent that this spring will depress the cover 18 in the manner that the depressed portion 35 deforms the cover, although it should be apparent that the spring as a result of its resiliency, may give during the movement of the head into its operative position. The spring is advantageous, in that complete deformation of the cover 18 need not be effected before the bristle head reaches its operative position, as it is appa-rent that the spring may flatten against the upper wall of the handle and then return to its normal position gradually to extrude the paste in a similar manner even after the head is in its operative position. In this connection, it might be observed that if the bristle head 16 has to be punctured before the paste can be extruded therefrom, or if it is necessary to hold the head under a hydrant to remove sealing material soluble in water, from the openings 20, either of these operations might be performed after the bristle head is in place, and that after either of such operations, the spring may then act to extrude the paste into the bristle area.

In Figs. 4 and 5, a different form of handle is provided as indicated at 38 which has an end wall 39 to which a resiliently bendable member 40 is secured as indicated at 41. This element has at its free end, a normally tapered portion 42 which terminates in a bead 43. In this construction a sleeve 45 is provided within the handle 38 which at its forward end terminates in a lip 46 to which a bristle head holder 47 is secured by means of rivets 48, for example. As sho-wn better by Fig. 5, the head 47 has end walls v49 and 50 terminating in grooved portions 51 and 52 adapted to receive an annular side rib 53 on the bristle head, and such walls are sufficiently flexible that the bristle head may be readily disposed between them, and as readily released therefrom. The holding head 47 also is provided with a slot 55 to receive the member 40 when the sleeve is moved into its operative position, and the rear portion of the holder has a plate 56 secured thereto which has a portion extending over the slot. `Similarly to the construction shown by Fig. 1, the bottom wall of the handle has an opening 57 through which the bristle head may be inserted, and the forward end of the handle has an opening bounded at its sides by walls grooved in this instance as indicated at 58, for receiving the rib 53 on the sides of the bristle head. It is apparent that once the bristle head is disposed between the end flanges 49 and 50, the sleeve 45 may be moved forwardly, until the bristle head .is disposed in its operative position as shown by Fig. 4. During this operation, the forward portion of the plate 56 engages the element 40 and particularly the inclined portion 42 thereof, and causes it to be pressed against the cover of the receptacle for the toothpaste. Hence pressure will be applied to such cover to cause extrusion of the paste similarly to the manner shown and described with respect to Fig. 1. After using the brush, the sleeve 45 may be retracted until the bristle head may be removed through the opening 57, and then the handle may be used in connection with a new bristle head at the next teeth cleansing operation.

In the construction shown by Fig. 6, a handle is provided which has a pocket 61 for receiving the bristle head 16 and side walls defining this pocket may be provided with grooves 62 for receiving the rib 53 on the bristle head. It is apparent that the bristle head may be inserted in such pocket and the rib 53 associated with the groove, by providing a recess 63 in an intermediate and lower portion of the handle to facilitate insertion of the head. After thus inserting the head, the paste is extruded into the bristle area, by means of an arm 64 having a bead 65 for engaging the cover 18 for the toothpaste and depressing it. Thebead has a pin 66 extending therethrough and beyond the sides thereof, as shown by Fig. 7, and the ends of the pin are adapted to travel in cam grooves 67 in opposite Walls of the handle.

These grooves are so constructed, that after the head 16 is properly positioned, the bead 65 may be moved do-wnwardly thereagainst, and then substantially parallel thereto to extrude the paste into the bristle area in a substantially complete manner. The arm 64 is adapted to move lengthwise from the pocket 61 into a recess 69 formed in the upper surface of the handle, and preferably, the end of the arm will be provided with an arm 70 pivoted on a pin '71 also having ends traveling in the groove 67. Such arm 70, in its operative and outwardly projecting position abuts a projection 72 on arms 64 so as to render pushing of the latter less difficult, but in its inoperative position, may be disposed in a concealed position in the recess 69, so as to prevent interference thereof during the teeth cleansing operation. When the teeth cleansing operation is completed, the arm 64 may be moved rearwardly until the projection or arm 70 is disposed in its position as indicated at 70; and then the latter may be turned down into the recess 69. In the handle illustrated by these gures, a pointed projection 74 is provided on the end thereof to facilitate puncturing the bristle wall if the bristle head has a wall which it is necessary to puncture before the paste may be extruded.

According to Figs. 8 and 9, a handle is provided which has an open pocket 75 in its end, having ledges 76 on opposite sides, and into which the bristle head 16 may be inserted and supported by a longitudinal movement over such ledges. Preferably, holding means such as ridges 77 will be provided at opposite sides of the pocket, and on the ledges 76, to prevent the head from slipping out of the pocket during the teeth cleansing operation. The upper wall of the handle has a spring 78, similar to spring 33 in Fig. 3, for causing extrusion of the paste into the bristle area.

In any of the constructions it is apparent that a bristle head may be readily associated with the handle and moved into its operative position and that the paste may be extruded in a quick manner. In certain of the constructions efcient manual operable means are provided for moving the bristle head into its operative position and for simultaneously effecting extrusion of the paste into the bristle area. It is apparent that the invention provides a handle construction which readily cooperates with a bristle head or a refill and that it provides a highly efficient means for promoting sanitation in the use of toothbrushes by facilitating the use of a new bristle head for each teeth cleansing operation. Preferably the handle will be constructed of permanently durable material so that it may be repeatedly used but the bristle head will be constructed very inexpensively as explained in my prior cepending application, above mentioned, so that the rell will be inexpensive. In general the invention promotes sanitation in the cleansing of teeth and renders unnecessary the use of any bristle element more than once without appreciable cost.

Although more than one form of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A toothbrush comprising a handle, a head having bristles on one surface, a deformable toothpaste container on the head, means on said handle for receiving the head and permitting longitudinally slidable movement thereof with respect to the handle, and means for deforming said container during such movement of the head.

2. A toothbrush comprising a handle, a deformable toothpaste container movable longitudinally of the handle, and means for deforming such container during movement thereof.

3. A toothbrush comprising a handle, a head having bristles on one surface and a toothpaste receptacle deiined by a movable wall, means on such handle for receiving the head for movement longitudinally thereof, and means on the handle for gradually pressing against such movable wall, as the head is moved with respect to the handle.

4. A toothbrush comprising a handle, a head having bristles on one surface, and a receptacle for toothpaste, defined by a movable wall, means for normally sealing the paste in the receptacle but releasable under pressure to allow paste to extrude into the bristle area, means on said handle for receiving such head for movement longitudinally thereof, and means for automatically applying pressure to such movable wall as the head is moved to extrude paste into such bristle area.

5. A toothbrush comprising a handle, a head having bristles on one surface, and a receptacle for toothpaste, defined by a movable wall, means on the handle for slidably receiving the head, and manually operable means on the handle for moving the bristle head into its operative position.

6. A toothbrush comprising a handle, a bristle head movably associated with the handle, bristles projecting from a side of they head, and manually operable means on the handle and separable from the head for moving the bristle head into its operative position.

7. A toothbrush comprising a hollow handle having an aperture at one end for bristles to project exteriorly of the handle, a bristle head movably supported in the handle, bristles projecting from a side of the head and manually operable l means on the handle and separable from the head for moving the bristle head into such position that the bristles project from such aperture.

8. A toothbrush comprising a handle, a bristle head movably associated with the handle and having a deformable toothpaste receptacle, manually operable means on the handle for moving the head into its operative position, and means for automatically deforming said receptacle upon such movement of the head.

9. A toothbrush comprising a handle, a bristle head movably associated with the handle and having a deformable toothpaste receptacle, manually operable means on the handle for moving the head into its operative position, and means l for automatically deforming said receptacle upon such movement of the head, said latter means comprising abutment means on the handle, adapted to engage the receptacle.

10. A toothbrush comprising a handle, a bristle head movably associated with the handle and having a deformable toothpaste receptacle, manually operable means on the handle for moving the head into its operative position, and means for automatically deforming said receptacle upon such movement of the head, said means comprising a spring for gradually deforming said receptacle.

11. A toothbrush comprising a handle, a manually operable element separable from the head and mounted for movement longitudinally of the handle, a bristle head, means on the element for releasably holding the bristle head, and means independent of the head for maintaining the element and handle operatively connected.

12. A toothbrush comprising a handle having an apertured pocket at one end for receiving a bristle head and allowing the bristles to project through such aperture, a bristle head movably mounted on the handle, manually operable means separable from the head for moving the bristle head into such pocket, and means independent of the head for maintaining the manually operable means and handle operatively connected.

i3. A toothbrush comprising a hollow handle having an apertured pocket at one end for allowing bristles project outwardly from the handle, a bristle head removably mounted between walls of the handle, manually operable means separable from the head for moving the head between such walls and into the pocket, and means independent oi the head for maining the manually operable means and handle operatively connected.

14. A toothbrush comprising a hollow handle having an aperture at one end for allowing bristles to project therethrough, a bristle head sup ported in the handle, manually operable means separable from the head and movable in said handle for moving the head into such position in the latter that the bristles project through such aperture, and means independent of the head for maintaining the manually operable means and handle operatively connected.

l5. A toothbrush comprising a hollow handle having an aperture at one end for allowing bristles to project therethrough, and an opening longitudinally spaced from such aperture to allow insertion of a bristle head, a bristle head adapted to be inserted in such opening and having bristles projecting from a side thereof, manually operable means for moving the bristle head so to the end of the handle so that the bristles project through said aperture, and means for maintaining the manually operable means on the handle,` independently ol the bristle head.

16. fl toothbrush comprising a handle having an apertured pocket at one end for receiving a bristle head and allowing the bristles to project through such aperture, a bristle head having bristles projecting from one side for disposal in the pocket, and means separable from the head and movably mounted and retained on the handle independently or the bristle head, for moving the latter into the pocket.

17. A toothbrush comprising a handle having a pocket at one end defined by laterally spaced Walls and an upper wall for allowing insertion of a bristle head thereinto with the bristles projecting between said spaced Walls, and means separable from the head and sldably mounted and retained on the handle independently of the bristle head, for moving the head into the pocket.

i8. A toothbrush comprising a handle, a bristle head, means separable from the head and movable longitudinally of the handle for moving the bristle head to a position at one end of the hanrile with its bristles disposed for teeth cleansing purposes, means for holding the bristle head against substantial displacement when in such position, and means maintaining the iirst means operatively on the handle independently of the bristle head.

19. A toothbrush comprising a handle, a bristle head, manually operable means movable longitudinally of the handle for positioning the head at one end of the handle, and means rendering the head readily releasable from the manually operable means so that one head may be quickly replaced by another.

20. A rellable toothbrush comprising a hollow handle, a bristle head adapted to be disposed in the handle and to be moved to one end thereof, means for exposing ther bristles when the head is at such end of the handle, and manually operable means readily releasable with respect to the head, for moving the latter longitudinally of the handle and to the bristle exposed position.

STANLEY V. LAUB.

.Lect 

